Magical Memoir Moments

Derek Halpern and the Perfect Blog Post: A Short Memoir

When I dropped into Chris Guillebeau’s (The Art of Nonconformity blog) book launch in Manhattan a few months ago, I also met author and blogger Jonathan Fields, who introduced me to Derek Halpern. Only in New York does a grandma get to talk to Chris Guillebeau, Jonathan Fields, and Derek Halpern–all within 20 minutes. (Tweet…

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A Room of One's Own: How to Be More Creative

It’s Wednesday, June, 27, 2012. 8 a.m. Time to go to the office. Oh wait, I am at the office! I have finally arrived at a place I have fantasized about — a room of my own for writing — and freedom from the 9-5 job world. Much as I loved having a career, I…

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Using Twitter Strategically: It's All About Making Meaningful Connections

Two weeks ago I wrote about balancing two kinds of writing — memoir and social media (Facebook and Twitter). Kathleen Pooler wrote a comment on that post, which prompted my invitation to her to share what she has learned about Twitter. I tend to use Facebook more than Twitter, but I see the advantages of Twitter when…

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How to Balance Writing with Facebook, Blogging, and Twitter

While I draft memoir chapters about growing up Mennonite, I am also writing to you, the friends of this blog, and to others on my facebook page and twitter feed. Is it worth it to spend my time this way? Sometimes I wonder. A few weeks ago, I was asked by a friend of this…

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Three Simple Steps to Begin the Memoir Journey

In case you think you’re not up to the challenge of writing, here’s an excellent way to begin. You won’t believe where Laurie Gray started. Three Simple Steps by Laurie Gray Write You’re working on your memoir, but most of your writing so far has been through journaling. Find opportunities to write and publish short…

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Richard Gilbert's Blog: A Memoir Treasure Trove

Please say hello to Richard Stuart Gilbert, someone I’ve never met in person but feel I’ve known a long time. His words have often left me pondering days or weeks later. He’s a blogger, journalist, memoir writer, professor and more. Some years ago he owned a sheep farm. Sound interesting? He is! Richard seems to…

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An Inside Look into Finding an Agent and Publisher: Terry Helwig's Story

Remember the wonderful interview with Terry Helwig in which she shared her book marketing strategies? Well, thanks to the gentle nudging of one of that post’s most engaged readers, Linda Gartz, Terry is back. Here’s how she found her agent and publisher, in her own words. I suggest you go to her site to learn…

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Marla Likes It! A Query Critique Lesson

Remember the old Life cereal commercial? “Mikey likes it!”? Here it is again. If Mikey likes it, it’s got to be good. Well, in memoir query critique, if Marla Miller likes it, the same is true. She’s a tough critic, but kind. And she’s seen a lot of query letters in her role as columnist…

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Dialogue and Memoir: A Challenge, A Method, and Two Mentors

Like 497, 651 other people, I have “liked” David Sedaris on Facebook. You can too, if you click on his name. You can help his PR people to say he has half a million FB fans. Wow! Recently an interview with Sedaris appeared on his page that reminded me of something I am struggling with…

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Reader's Digest–A Fond Memory–And Now, a Memoir Source

Since television was not allowed in my Mennonite home when I was growing up, magazines, newspapers, and radio were an important link to the outside world. The magazines I read from cover to cover included The Saturday Evening Post, Boy’s Life, and Life. But these were special treats not always available. Usually, they followed some…

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